The Summer Palace of Beijing covers an area of 2.97 km2 , three-quarters of which is covered by water. The main framework of the structure is supplied by the Hill of Longevity and Kunming Lake, complemented by man-made features. It is designed on a grandiose scale, commensurate with its role as an imperial garden of Beijing . It is divided into three main areas, each with its particular function: political and administrative activities, residence, and recreation and sightseeing.
The political area of the building is reach by means of the monumental East Palace Gate. The central feature is the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, an imposing structure with its courtyard garden. This area connects directly with the residential area, which is made up of 3 complexes of buildings. The Hall of Happiness in Longevity was the palace of Cixi and the Hall of Jade Ripples that of Guangxu and his empress, whereas the Hall of Yiyun housed his concubines. These buildings are all built up against the Hill of Longevity, with fine views over the lake, and are connected to one another by roofed corridors. These communicate with the Great Stage to the east and the Long Corridor, with more than 10,000 paintings on its walls and ceilings, to the west. In front of the Hall of Happiness in Longevity there is a wooden quay giving access by water to their quarters for the imperial family. The imperial Chinese garden also illustrated by the Summer Palace, is a potent symbol of one of the major world civilizations. The Summer Palace epitomizes the philosophy and practice of Chinese garden design, which played a key role in the development of this cultural form throughout the east of the country.The Summer Palace in Beijing city was first built in 1750. It was largely destroyed in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886 and currently is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.

Summer Palace

byJingguo Ming-húa

The Summer Palace of Beijing covers an area of 2.97 km2 , three-quarters of which is covered by water. The main framework of the structure is supplied by the Hill of Longevity and Kunming Lake, complemented by man-made features. It is designed on a grandiose scale, commensurate with its role as an imperial garden of Beijing . It is divided into three main areas, each with its particular function: political and administrative activities, residence, and recreation and sightseeing.
The political area of the building is reach by means of the monumental East Palace Gate. The central feature is the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, an imposing structure with its courtyard garden. This area connects directly with the residential area, which is made up of 3 complexes of buildings. The Hall of Happiness in Longevity was the palace of Cixi and the Hall of Jade Ripples that of Guangxu and his empress, whereas the Hall of Yiyun housed his concubines. These buildings are all built up against the Hill of Longevity, with fine views over the lake, and are connected to one another by roofed corridors. These communicate with the Great Stage to the east and the Long Corridor, with more than 10,000 paintings on its walls and ceilings, to the west. In front of the Hall of Happiness in Longevity there is a wooden quay giving access by water to their quarters for the imperial family. The imperial Chinese garden also illustrated by the Summer Palace, is a potent symbol of one of the major world civilizations. The Summer Palace epitomizes the philosophy and practice of Chinese garden design, which played a key role in the development of this cultural form throughout the east of the country.The Summer Palace in Beijing city was first built in 1750. It was largely destroyed in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886 and currently is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.